"Working toward specific goals, learning new skills, adapting -- and then adapting to change -- believing in yourself, being happy with your work'' -- these are the professional values that Tina Ming firmly believes in.

These beliefs, along with old-fashioned hard work, have led Ms Ming to a successful and steady growth in her career path with BGA and the Phoenix Stores Ltd.

Ten years ago, in 1986, Ms Ming graduated from Warwick Secondary School.

Afterwards, Ms Ming completed one year at Bermuda College and responded to an advertisement for a junior clerk position in the Billing Office of BGA. Little did she know that her belief in these professional values would provide her with so many opportunities to expand her career with just one employer over the next decade.

Working for a large company has been a definite plus for Tina. Without the stress of changing employers, she has gained valuable experience in a variety of jobs, each with increasing responsibilities. After first working as a junior clerk in the Billing Office, Ms Ming moved on to the Food Services Division and then to the Marketing Department.

Just two and a half years ago, Ms Ming applied for a supervisory position that had been created in the retail arm of the company. The challenge of working directly with the public, coupled with her administrative background, presented another goal.

Ms Ming proved to her employer that she was capable of adapting to change.

With commitment and hard work she demonstrated a natural ability to getting the job done! Throughout her career, learning new skills, coupled with upgrading and training, enabled her to build confidence with every change of position.

Ms Ming took the initiative to return to Bermuda College, as an evening class student, and completed a bookkeeping course as soon as she joined BGA.

Since that time her employers, BGA and the Phoenix Stores, have provided her with a number of professional development courses in key areas. These include: supervisory management, customer service skills and communication skills.

Ms Ming discovered that by taking these courses she has not only improved her on-the-job skills and the chances of further promotions with the company, but has experienced personal growth by applying these new found skills in other life areas.

In her latest promotion as manager of the Bookmart, in February, 1998, Ms Ming has been adapting to a changing set of responsibilities. Rather than doing department budget control Ms Ming will make buying decisions based on her perception of what her customers future reading habits will be! Ms Ming practises a common sense philosophy of keeping focused on a set of values that are achievable.

Within a short period of time Ms Ming has brought her unique style of team management to her job.

The boss, Phoenix Stores Ltd. President and CEO, Mr.George Grundmuller has taken notice and commented: "Tina is an excellent example of a positive employee of whom we are very proud. She motivates her team and strives to reach her goals in our fast paced and ever changing environment.

"With a predominantly female workforce at Phoenix Stores Ltd., we realise the challenges that many of our staff face in balancing their careers, their families and their desire to keep current with business practices.

"Therefore, through in-house training programmes we can encourage employees like Tina to reach their full potential.'' "At Phoenix Stores Ltd., we recognise that our employees are our greater asset,'' Mr. Grundmuller concluded.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE -- Tina Ming, manager of the Bookmart, part of the Phoenix Stores Ltd.

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